One million $ donation for more parkland...Ashford Ave/Heatherdell Rd repaving update...Highview PTARelease Date: August 26, 2014

ONE MILLION DOLLARS OFFERED FOR PURCHASE OF 28.7 ACRES OF LAND FOR TAXTER RIDGE
The Town Board discussed, during our work session today accepting a one million dollar donation from the Robert Martin Corporation and AvalonBay communities –part of an agreement made between the East Irvington Civic Association and Robert Martin Corp/AvalonBay Communities in 2009. The donation –which the town did not negotiate - can only be used for one purchase: to purchase 28.7 acres of land in the village of Tarrytown for Taxter Ridge Park. Avalon has built 444 apartments off of Taxter Road in E Irvington and is planning to build 68 additional units at the site.

The Town Board will be assigning the property to the Village of Tarrytown if the Board accepts the donation. The village understands that the property will be part of Taxter Ridge Park and will be available to the general public and the maintenance responsibility will rest solely with the village. The Tarrytown Village Board is supportive of the concept and has agreed to accept assignment should the Town Board officially assign the property to the village of Tarrytown.
The Town Board must vote to accept the donation by October 1st. If the Town Board rejects the donation the developer (Robert Martin Corporation and AvalonBay) will get to keep the one million dollars for themselves. I support using the funds for parkland acquisition. I believe that it’s important to balance new development with open space preservation (that’s why Greenburgh has the green before the burgh in its name). We need to maintain the quality of life for our residents.

As residents know – three major roads are being repaved: West Hartsdale Ave (work continuing till tomorrow afternoon)…Ashford..Heatherdell. W Hartsdale Ave work is being done by New York State, not the town. And the work on Ashford and Heatherdell is being done by Ardsley. Many motorists have been inconvenienced during this necessary road work. In retrospect, the work on W Hartsdale Ave and in Ardsley should not have been done the same week. In the future we will work to make sure there is better coordination.

On Wednesday August 27, 2014 the Village of Ardsley will continue the repaving of Ashford Avenue . The roadway will be closed from Sprain Rd to Abington Ave. from 7:00 am until 1:00 pm. Please plan to avoid this area and take alternate routes.Upon completion of this area, paving will commence on Heatherdell Rd., from Olympic Lane (Veteran Park) up to Farm Road. The roadway will be closed off on this portion of the roadway with Wildflower Lane and Farm Road remaining open. Work on Heatherdell will be continued on Thursday August 28, 2014 beginning at Farm Rd and proceeding towards Rte. 9A. An update will follow tomorrow as to the extent of Thursdays paving parameters.RICK THOMPSON, ARDSLEY GENERAL FOREMAN

On behalf of the new Parent Teacher Association officers, we would like to welcome back all of our students, faculty and families. We have a lot of fun things planned for the 2014-2015 school year and look forward to everyone joining us in making this an enriching and exciting year for our children. The first PTA contribution you will notice is the purchase of Highview school t-shirts for all incoming students, to wear on trips and during school spirit days and to show that the PTA supports all of our students. In addition to the first of our informative meetings, we sponsor the Highview Caring Community Food Drive in September. During October, we will manage the school Photo Day and Scholastic Book Fair, and provide refreshments at the Book Club and for the Woodlands High School Band as they enliven the Halloween Parade. On behalf of all school families, we will host a Welcome Back Breakfast for all school staff in November as part of NYS School-Related Professionals Recognition Day. Depending on the success of our fundraisers, we hope to sponsor at least 4 class trips or school assemblies/visits in addition to the Spring Into Summer Fun Day and other activities. We also will host two Family Fun Nights and a Movie Night this year to give families a chance to get to know their student’s friends. All these activities, plus the Tag Sale and School Store, depend on your help!

Our first PTA meeting will be on September 17 at 6:30 PM (just before Back to School Night begins). Please come and find out more about this year's PTA, all of our upcoming activities and how you can become more involved in your child's school.